Deutsche Telekom makes major OTT move [UPDATE]

German telco Deutsche Telekom will launch the OTT version of its IPTV platform Entertain TV on October 24, 2018, and, at the same time, rebrand its TV offer into MagentaTV.

For €7.95 per month, the OTT version of MagentaTV will offer a scaled-down version of the IPTV service. The line-up will comprise around 75 TV channels, 45 of them in HD quality, catch-up TV and access to the video-on-demand services.

New to the line-up will be ARD Plus, ZDF select, offering a larger library of on-demand content from ARD and ZDF than the public broadcasters provide on their regular catch-up services. There will also be to additional catch-up services featuring children’s content from ARD and ZDF: ARD Plus Kids und ZDFtivi.

The OTT service will initially be available through iOS and Android apps, through Chromecast and the web browser. Further operating systems will follow, including Smart TV apps.

Deutsche Telekom announced the landmark move to make its IPTV service available as an OTT product in August 2018. The offer has previously been tied to a fixed-line broadband internet subscription from Telekom.

The IPTV version of MagentaTV, which is available to Telekom’s broadband customers through a set-top-box, will continue provide the full portfolio of around 300 TV channels, more than 100 of them in HD quality, Ultra HD/4K content and interactive functions such as time-shift, restart and 7-day replay.

Update, May 10, 2019: MagentaTV is now also available as an app for Amazon Fire TV.

About Jörn Krieger

Jörn reports on the latest developments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Since 1992, he has been working as a freelance journalist, specialised in digital media, broadcast technology, convergence and new markets. He also takes up University lectureships, writes articles in specialist publications, and produces radio reports. Jörn is also a moderator of panel discussions at industry events such as ANGA COM, Medientage München and IFA Berlin.